Formerly useless

“Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.” ~ Philemon

I’m at Campus Challenge 2006 right now. It’s been a while since I’ve been a student attending the conference. Now I am in my 10^th year of attending and have been 5 years away from the campus. It is one generation of university students that have passed since my being at Waterloo.

It’s been interesting observing the students from this “new” perspective. I see the students in much different light. I definitely see a difference in level of maturity. As I watch the worship team lead, I can’t help but wonder to myself what is going on in their mind. As they chit and chat immediately after leading, I think….”How distracting! Is your heart really in the right place?”

And yet, teaching this course on Mentoring, it is exactly those who are drinking milk that I am ministering to. Paul was formerly an infant and was not able to see the good in John Mark; but in his latter years of ministry, he saw hope in Onesimus, a slave who had betrayed his respected owner Philemon in some way. Philemon had probably even been a good & kind-hearted slave-owner, and yet Onesimus was so “useless” that even such a kind-hearted slave-owner would find no “use” in him.

Paul taking on Onesimus demonstrated his maturity. He was ministering to those who were young in spirit. Taking them on as his “son”. Making them be “his very heart”. Mentoring him and guiding him to know God. Witnessing the power of God turning

Onesimus from something “useless” to something “useful”.

I reflect upon these folks at Campus challenge. The worship team in my workshop, the committee members, the 1^st years, whom You have placed in my care. Lord, help me to make them “my very heart” as well. H & V as well as my students (like A-girl) are also in my care. May they be my sons & daughters. Lord, help me to love.